While Wentian Sect was in chaos, deep within Corrosion Wind Cave, Ye Chuxue finally awoke.
Her eyes fluttered open in confusion. It took a long moment before her memory returned—and when it did, she clenched her fists.
"Ah—!
My stone! Where's my stone?"
Ye Chuxue raised both hands, stunned. She clearly remembered holding onto the stone before she fainted, but now it was gone. Frowning, she searched the entire cave, checking every crevice. But no matter where she looked, the stone had completely vanished.
"How can this be… Where did it go?" She collapsed back onto the ground, face pale, chest tightening with panic.
It felt as if something incredibly important had been taken from her. The ache in her chest throbbed, deep and real.
The emptiness made her skin crawl. Her heart felt hollow, as if the loss had carved something out of her. The tears came quickly, bitter and unstoppable.
She thought back to everything that had happened these past months—one terrible thing after another. Her composure crumbled.
Back in her old world, she was a nobody, stepped on by everyone. After transmigrating, she had been nothing more than a five-spirit-rooted burden. Only by luck had she awakened a Chaos spiritual root and become Gu Qingyuan's disciple.
Just when her life had started to turn around, the misfortune came flooding back.
Why? Why did the heavens treat her like this?
Ye Chuxue felt lost, like she'd never truly belonged in this world. No matter how long she'd been here, she was still just an outsider.
She bit down hard on her lip. Through her tears, she forced herself to sit up again.
Not everyone was like Song Wanníng, born into brilliance with the world at their feet.
Deep down, she admired her… and envied her too.
That was why, when Gu Qingyuan and his three disciples began to show her favor, she couldn't help but feel a twisted sense of satisfaction.
But now…
Ye Chuxue pinched her thigh until pain shot through her leg. She winced, face twisting, but stood up anyway. Gritting her teeth, she walked toward the cave entrance.
Men were unreliable cowards, and heaven itself was useless.
If she wanted to surpass Song Wanníng, she would have to rely on her own cultivation.
She would win with strength.
At the gates of Wentian Sect, a shadow fell from the sky.
A figure landed with a gust of wind, his long sword slung across his back, black robes snapping in the breeze.
"I, Lu Xingyao of Myriad Sword Sect, have come to challenge Gu Qingyuan of Wentian Sect." His voice carried on the wind like thunder. It echoed across the lookout towers and startled the gatekeepers.
"Is that Lu Xingyao from Myriad Sword Sect?! Go report to the Sect Master immediately!"
"Why would True Lord Lu come here? Is he here to cause trouble?"
The guards exchanged uneasy glances. Without delay, they sent word to the inner sect and then hurried to the gate to receive him with formal courtesy.
It didn't take long before the news of Lu Xingyao's arrival and his challenge to Gu Qingyuan spread like wildfire across Wentian Sect.
The already nervous disciples were stunned.
Was this the first shot in a campaign to test Wentian Sect's strength?
"What nonsense! Myriad Sword Sect has no shame, sending someone to test us like this!"
"That old bastard's really got guts!"
Inside the main hall, the Sect Master slammed his palm against the table, sending scrolls and jade slips crashing to the floor.
He had been holding back his rage for days. Now it erupted like a tidal wave. He wanted to smash everything in sight.
Everything was falling apart.
Ever since the old ancestor's ascension, their position had been under threat. He had tried reaching out to their "friends," hoping to pull them to Wentian Sect's side.
But those backstabbing dogs…
They had smiled and nodded, offering only hollow words and evasive responses. He'd had no choice but to cut off contact in frustration. He thought they still had time to regroup. But Myriad Sword Sect had already come knocking.
Outrageous!
"Quick! Go inform Gu Qingyuan. Tell him to prepare himself." Face flushed with anger, the Sect Master ordered the Seventh Elder to deliver the message. His fury was written all over his face.
"Wait. Go to the vault and bring some of the best pills with you. Make sure he recovers as much as possible. At this point, he must win. Failure is not an option!" He pressed a key into the elder's hand. With the sect's future on the line, using the vault's contents was justified.
"Yes, I'll go at once!" The Seventh Elder rushed off. If the sect lost its status, their resources would be slashed. No one could afford to stay idle now.
"Sect Master, now that Lu Xingyao is here, won't other sects start taking action too?" The Fourth Elder paced anxiously inside the hall, unable to sit still.
In normal times, a challenge like this might be a simple contest of skill. But right now, the stakes were far too high.
The Sect Master suppressed his anger, swept his eyes over the elders, and said coldly, "If one falls, we all fall. No one should be thinking only of themselves.
We must face this together. Every one of you needs to start thinking of ways to protect the sect." He waved his hand, sending them off to plan in private. Then he personally went to greet Lu Xingyao.
The duel had been announced as a private challenge. The lower the profile, the better. Ideally, only Wentian Sect's people would know.
But those old foxes from Myriad Sword Sect… they were probably waiting eagerly for good news.
The Sect Master left in a hurry. The elders sighed and dispersed, whispering strategies as they went.
The Second Elder lingered behind, dragging her feet as she exited last. She sneered quietly to herself. That speech earlier was clearly directed at her.
Hmph.
Now he was panicking. But what had he been doing before?
Busy lining his own pockets, that's what. Enjoying the power and privilege of running Wentian Sect as if nothing could ever go wrong.
And now? Now they were staring down a crisis.
If the sect lost its rank under his leadership, his name would be written into the sect's chronicles in disgrace. A stain for all time.
"Fellow Daoist Lu, what a surprise to see you come all this way without notice. I'm afraid we failed to receive you properly." The Sect Master switched masks instantly, tucking his anger away and replacing it with a wide, welcoming smile as he approached.
Lu Xingyao gave a brief nod. "Apologies for the disturbance."
"Not at all, not at all. It's just that Junior Brother Gu was poisoned not long ago and hasn't fully recovered. I'm afraid you may need to wait a bit." He offered the explanation with polite laughter, gesturing to escort Lu Xingyao to the guest peak.
But Lu Xingyao shook his head.
"If Gu Qingyuan is unwell, may I meet with Song Wanníng instead?"
"Junior Sister Song?"
The Sect Master paused in surprise, then nodded slowly.
"Very well. I'll check if she's in the sect at the moment." He pulled out a transmission talisman and sent a message to Song Wanníng. Only then did he lead Lu Xingyao toward Yunxiao Peak.
As they walked, the Sect Master frowned, puzzled.
Why would Lu Xingyao ask for Song Wanníng?
Did he not know the engagement had already been canceled?
Was he here to cause trouble for her instead of Gu Qingyuan?
The more he thought about it, the more he felt like he had figured it out.
His eyes lit up with a glint of calculation.
Song Wanníng's cultivation had been rising steadily. If she could take Gu Qingyuan's place in the duel, that would be even better.
Better than he could have hoped.